EU Urges 'Maximum Restraint' Following Rockets, IDF Operation

European Union condemns rocket fire from Gaza and expresses concern over the civilian casualties in Israel’s airstrikes.

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Arutz Sheva Staff, 09/07/14 02:14

EU's Catherine Ashton and Binyamin Netanyahu

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The European Union (EU) on Tuesday strongly condemned the rocket fire from Gaza on southern Israel, and at the same time also expressed concern over the number of civilian casualties in Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, part of the counterterrorism Operation Protective Edge.

"We are following with grave concern the rapidly deteriorating situation in the South of Israel and the Gaza Strip,” said a statement from the EU’s high representatives for foreign affairs, Catherine Ashton.

The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate fire into Israel by militant groups in the Gaza Strip. The EU deplores the growing number of civilian casualties, reportedly among them children, caused by Israeli retaliatory fire. The safety and security of all civilians must be of paramount importance,” added the statement.

“The EU calls on all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid casualties and re-establish calm. To this end the EU calls on parties in the region to do their utmost to achieve an immediate ceasefire."

"The IDF aims its actions against Hamas terrorists and not against innocent civilians,” Netanyahu stressed. “But Hamas purposely hides behind Palestinian civilians, and therefor bears responsibility when they are inadvertently hit.”